Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in Olympic legacy-shaping processes

Abstract

Scholars emphasise the need to understand how contested concepts, like social inclusion and legacy, are interpreted within specific contexts. However, there are a lack of critical studies on social legacies of sports mega-events. This study aims to analyse how social inclusion of marginalised groups is constructed in the legacy-shaping process of and bidding for the Olympic Games. Three cases were chosen in which the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples was stated as one of the goals of the bidding and organising committees: Sydney 2000, Vancouver 2010 and Tromsø 2014, 2018 bids. Translation theory and critical discourse analysis were used to understand how inclusion and legacy efforts are taken into action. The cases spread across space, time and bidding stage did not provide unique approaches to the formulations of legacies and inclusion. Despite the highlighted celebration of culture and diversity of communities in the documents, we interpret the inclusion discourse as a symbolic appreciation of Indigenous Peoples with attempts to address and solve the challenges connected to social exclusion. However, these attempts are characterised by postcolonial and assimilation thinking. A broader commitment is needed to create lasting social change through long-term initiatives created with and led by Indigenous Peoples.